[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LEWIS FIELDS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 11, 2023

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of a great American, 
Lewis M. Fields. Mr. Fields lives in Lexington, Kentucky. Lewis Fields 
was born February 21, 1927, to Nancy and Gano Fields. He grew up in 
Sadieville, Kentucky as the oldest of 4 children. An active young man, 
Mr. Fields worked on the family farm, raised and sold miniature ponies, 
drove the local school bus, was a member of FFA, and played basketball 
and baseball at Sadieville High School.
  Mr. Fields enlisted in the United States Navy on February 4, 1945, 
just prior to his 18th birthday. His father drove him to the enlistment 
office in Louisville, Ky. He trained at Great Lakes, Illinois. He was 
then sent to California, where he was assigned to the USS Pensacola as 
a Seaman 1st Class assigned to the Supply Division. The Pensacola CA-24 
was a heavy cruiser that received 13 Battle Stars for its campaign 
during WWII. It was nicknamed ``The Grey Ghost'' by Tokyo Rose for its 
resiliency. Mr. Fields remembers sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge 
as they left California for Okinawa. All personnel were on deck and 
Sentimental Journey was played.
  The battle in Okinawa, Operation Iceberg, was the last battle of WWII 
and was very intense. During the onslaught of enemy fire, numerous 
injuries were incurred by the crew. Mr. Fields still remembers how 
slippery the deck was from all the blood and was staggered by the 
thought that this blood was from his shipmates and friends.
  Mr. Fields earned a Navy Occupation Service Medal, a WWII Victory 
Medal, an Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star, a Combat 
Action Ribbon, a Discharge Button, and an Honorable Service Pin. He 
moved to the Reserves on August 4, 1946 and his final separation was 
August 3, 1954.
  Mr. Fields moved back to Kentucky and married his high school 
sweetheart, Jeannine Hiles Fields. They were married for 69 years until 
she passed away in 2016. They have 2 children. He accepted a job with 
Gulf Oil, where he worked for 38 years. Mr. Fields has been a faithful 
member of Southland Christian Church and Tates Creek Christian Church. 
He used his woodworking hobby to craft many items for each church. He 
was also active in starting Right to Life.
  Lewis Fields is a true patriot, a great American, and an inspiration 
to us all. I am forever grateful to him and other members of the 
Greatest Generation for sacrificing and fighting to preserve the 
freedoms that we hold dear. It is my honor to recognize him before the 
United States Congress.

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